Hi everyone, On my last trip to Rajasthan, I realized I only relied on **Google Maps** for navigation and **Zomato** for food. It worked fine, but I feel like I missed out on a lot of useful tools that could have made the trip smoother. So I wanted to ask: * What are the **best travel apps in India for tourists** that you personally use? * Any must-have apps for train updates, bus bookings, or flight tracking? * Apps for finding hidden spots or local experiences beyond the usual tourist trails? * Do you use hotel booking apps (like OYO, MakeMyTrip, Booking.com) or prefer direct stays/homestays? * And for language barriers — is there an app that helps when traveling in rural or non-English speaking areas? Would love to hear recommendations so I can load up my phone before my next trip

Great question! I’ve been traveling across India for a few years, and honestly, having the right apps makes the trip so much smoother. Here are some that I personally use and recommend: 1. **Google Maps** – Obvious one, but still the best for navigation. It also shows bus routes, walking paths, and even local businesses with reviews. 2. **IRCTC Rail Connect / Where Is My Train** – Super useful for train bookings and live train status. *Where Is My Train* works even offline for live running updates. 3. **RedBus** – For bus bookings across states. Clean interface, and you can check real-time bus tracking. 4. **MakeMyTrip / Goibibo / Yatra** – For flights and hotel deals. I usually compare across two before booking. 5. **Airbnb & Booking.com** – Great for homestays, boutique hotels, and unique stays, especially if you want something offbeat. 6. **OYO** – Budget-friendly stays almost everywhere, handy when you don’t want to spend too much. 7. **Zomato & Swiggy** – For food delivery and restaurant reviews. Zomato is also handy in smaller cities for recommendations. 8. **Google Translate** – Surprisingly useful in rural areas or when talking to locals in different states. The camera translation feature works like magic for menus and signboards. 9. **Paytm / PhonePe / Google Pay** – Cashless payments everywhere in India, including small tea stalls. A must-have. 10. **TripIt / Wanderlog** – For organizing itineraries. I use Wanderlog to plan routes, share plans with friends, and keep all bookings in one place. **Bonus:** * **InDrive / Uber / Rapido** for local transport depending on the city. * **[Myhappyjourney.com/community](https://myhappyjourney.com/community/ "Myhappyjourney") and Tripoto** for travel inspiration, itineraries, and hidden spot suggestions. 👉 My personal must-have combo for any India trip: **Google Maps, Where Is My Train, Zomato, Paytm, and Booking.com.**

What Are the Best Travel Apps in India for Tourists?

Yashwantkk

Hi everyone,

On my last trip to Rajasthan, I realized I only relied on Google Maps for navigation and Zomato for food. It worked fine, but I feel like I missed out on a lot of useful tools that could have made the trip smoother.

So I wanted to ask:

What are the best travel apps in India for tourists that you personally use?
Any must-have apps for train updates, bus bookings, or flight tracking?
Apps for finding hidden spots or local experiences beyond the usual tourist trails?
Do you use hotel booking apps (like OYO, MakeMyTrip, Booking.com) or prefer direct stays/homestays?
And for language barriers — is there an app that helps when traveling in rural or non-English speaking areas?

Would love to hear recommendations so I can load up my phone before my next trip

SUDHAMATHI

Great question! I’ve been traveling across India for a few years, and honestly, having the right apps makes the trip so much smoother. Here are some that I personally use and recommend:

Google Maps – Obvious one, but still the best for navigation. It also shows bus routes, walking paths, and even local businesses with reviews.
IRCTC Rail Connect / Where Is My Train – Super useful for train bookings and live train status. Where Is My Train works even offline for live running updates.
RedBus – For bus bookings across states. Clean interface, and you can check real-time bus tracking.
MakeMyTrip / Goibibo / Yatra – For flights and hotel deals. I usually compare across two before booking.
Airbnb & Booking.com – Great for homestays, boutique hotels, and unique stays, especially if you want something offbeat.
OYO – Budget-friendly stays almost everywhere, handy when you don’t want to spend too much.
Zomato & Swiggy – For food delivery and restaurant reviews. Zomato is also handy in smaller cities for recommendations.
Google Translate – Surprisingly useful in rural areas or when talking to locals in different states. The camera translation feature works like magic for menus and signboards.
Paytm / PhonePe / Google Pay – Cashless payments everywhere in India, including small tea stalls. A must-have.
TripIt / Wanderlog – For organizing itineraries. I use Wanderlog to plan routes, share plans with friends, and keep all bookings in one place.

Bonus:

InDrive / Uber / Rapido for local transport depending on the city.
Myhappyjourney.com/community and Tripoto for travel inspiration, itineraries, and hidden spot suggestions.

👉 My personal must-have combo for any India trip: Google Maps, Where Is My Train, Zomato, Paytm, and Booking.com.